Porirua City Council has voted to freeze dog registration fees for 2026/27, keeping costs unchanged while it prepares for a wider review of animal control funding.
Standard registration fees will remain at $160 for neutered dogs, $221 for non-neutered dogs, $239 for dangerous dogs, and $98 for working dogs.
Council officers had considered a 5 percent increase, in line with the Long-term Plan 2024-34, but recommended holding fees at current levels for another year.
The freeze is expected to reduce projected fee revenue by about $50,000.
The council report said Porirua’s dog registration fees were already at the higher end compared with neighbouring councils.
Onepoto Ward councillor Geoff Hayward supported the freeze, saying dog owners should pay their fair share, but animal control also benefited the wider community.
“Animal Control is not only there for dog owners. It exists for people who do not own dogs, for children walking to school, for kaumātua out maybe stretching their legs, and for visitors to Porirua,” Hayward said.
He said the current funding balance should be reviewed, particularly if about 40 percent of costs were being met by general ratepayers.
Hayward also raised concerns about roaming dogs and repeat offending.
“In my view, there is a difference between a one-off incident and repeated irresponsibility,” he said.
He said future reviews should consider stronger incentives for responsible dog owners and clearer consequences for repeated negligence.
Council officers said the decision would allow time for a comprehensive review of fees, charges, and how animal control costs are shared between dog owners and ratepayers.